Tag Archives: Poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 3:00 pm on October 3, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , Poems, , , self=expression, ,   

A Bloggerโ€™s Diary 10/3/21: On the Week, Writing and Reflecting, Publications and A Poem, WordPress, and Self-expression๏ฟผ

The week

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Over the past couple of weeks, the team has been preparing for school to begin, which means the registration team has been, is, well, super duper busy, which is awesome. Instructors are prepping for classes, as the rest of the staff are doing things like, getting computers out to in-person locations for late registrations, and supporting instructors as and where needed.ย 

Itโ€™s been an amazing couple of weeks, filled with registration numbers the likes of which we havenโ€™t seen since prior to the pandemic. Amazing.

The past couple of weeks, Iโ€™ve also been reflecting upon the concept of self-expression in relation to human beingness; and, then in relation to leadership more specifically. Iโ€™ll have a little more to write about that in a moment. First, letโ€™s take a quick look at some writing reflections from the past couple of weeks.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

About two months ago now, I switched my blogging schedule. Previous to that time, I was posting every day, which just became too much to manage. Now, I am posting an average of 4 to 5 times a week, and that is working well for now.ย 

Iโ€™ve been thinking of possibly reducing it to 3 to 4 times a week, yet, we will see.

Iโ€™ve been writing a lot, as I always do; sometimes that means I write a poem each day, sometimes 3 or 4. It depends.ย 

Most of my poems over the past couple of weeks have taken love at their center, which is, well, quite wonderful. I never really know what is going to come from my heart, through my fingers, and onto the page youโ€™re reading; really, I never really do.

I usually begin with a concept, or more likely, a sentence or two, and go from there. It is so much fun.ย 

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash

For instance, the poem heart-related centeredness was a response to the WDYS photo prompt, hosted by Sadje, from Keep it Alive. I love to participate in this prompt, as I am able. The photo, to me, sparked an immediate response about the connectedness of all that we see, sky, clouds, sea, and, well, you; and me, of course. It just works that way for me today; it is what I see and feel.

And, the poem referenced above, from my heart, and through my fingers, was literally a reflection on the process of writing from my heart; and how it feels to me. Is simple, and quite beautiful to me.ย 

Iโ€™ve also been blessed with another publishing opportunity, and have just heard back from Spillwords Press on one other submission. How fun!

Publications and A Poem

Iโ€™m super excited about being a part of the first ever Word Weaving โ€“ A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, the kindle version of which is available now. You can access it from the link above. If you are interested, you can also learn more at the word weaving blog.

I also just learned that my poem, Smoulder Now and Forever, has been accepted by Spillwords Press. Excited. When the poem is scheduled for publication, I will let you all know.

I also have a few more pieces coming up in both MasticadoresUSA, and MasticadoresIndia. When those are scheduled for publication, I will also let you know.ย 

If youโ€™ve not yet checked out these cool publication houses, please do so when you have time. Amazing people, and talented writers. Much fun!

Oh, before I forget, here is one of the poems that wasnโ€™t accepted recently. I am including it here, well, because it reminds me of some of my recent reflections on the moon, which has been so beautiful in the night sky recently.

Dazzling delight

the moon

dazzling delight

transformed ages of night

called on by gods and goddesses

alike

WordPress

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Alright, in my last diary entry, several of us had a conversation about blogs that we follow not showing up in our reader. I did contact WP, after some coaching from our friend Cindy, from Unique Times with Cindy, thank you, dear Cindy, and here is what I learned.

There is no solution at WP for this issue. Their suggestion was to do, well, what most of us already know how to do, which is unfollow, and then refollow. Usually this will work, and the blog posts will once again begin to show in our reader.

Therefore, I will be unfollowing and refollowing some of you. We will see how that works.

Self Expression

Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

The past couple of weeks, Iโ€™ve also been reflecting upon self-expression. As a human being on this planet, it is so important to be fully self-expressed. I know this, as I spent some years not being fully self-expressed.

When we are fully self-expressed, we get out all of the ideas, concepts, and love we have for life. We experience aliveness, through the difficulty and ease that comes with life. And, for me, itโ€™s inside of this aliveness, through all that we receive from life, where the beauty for and of life lives.ย 

It is interesting to write about self-expression within a beautiful community that self-expresses continuously; yet, what I also know about being a human being on this planet, is that even those of us who are fully self-expressed, have times when we feel not fully self-expressed.

In those moments, I usually take a walk, sit quietly, and just detach myself from all things. Inside of this space lives the possibility of reconnecting within, which for me, means insights will arise, and self-expression will follow.

Alright, thatโ€™s all for this entry.

Have a beautifully blessed week, everyone.

#poetry, #abloggersdiary, #blogging, #diary, #education, #leadership, #poems, #publications, #reflecting, #selfexpression, #wordpress, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on October 3, 2021
Tags: city, , , , , , , , Poems, ,   

the dreams kept comingโ€ฆ

the city sleeps, in an
indecent, and incandescent
display

tired, drowsy, and
dreaming of better days, or
is it of
the oft betrayedโ€ฆ

itโ€™s heart beating
a rhythm of long ago,
it wonders, and sheds
its skin
often flayed

wide open
for all to see,
like the skyโ€™s,
transparency

walking the streets,

you can feel
the pulse
beneath your feet,
and within
the panes
of the people-less, and
windowed scene, it seems

hallow, and yet also
full of lifeโ€™s drawings,
created long ago, by the people
left behind

when time
stood still,
and we were all
left wonderingโ€ฆ

as the dreams
kept comingโ€ฆ

In response to the WDYS#101 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

Image credit; Maksym Harbar @ Unsplash

#city, #connection, #dreams, #huamnity, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #reminiscence, #wdys

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 23, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , Poems,   

the love of one another

I drop to my knees,
and give thanks
for the silence
in-between

this moment
and that, as common
as past circumstance

notwithstanding

I dream of you
in the blue,
and look forward
to our next meeting, stay in tune

would you?

lead me
from this dream,
into another phase
of the magical stream

flowing this way, and that,
I consider all the options,
weighing down
the rocks and trees,
and choose to sit silently

breathing in and out,
respiration,
just like the flower
sends love to the bee,
I think about
the ways in which
you touch my being, and
make the twirls go around and under

the love of one another

Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash

#poetry, #contemplation, #humanconnection, #introspection, #life, #love, #meditation, #nature, #poems, #presence

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 9:00 pm on September 15, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , Poems,   

I Breathe in the Ocean, Published at MasticadoresIndia

I am so pleased to announce that my poem, I Breathe in the Ocean, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Another big thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their support, and for publishing this piece.

I Breathe in the Ocean
is it
so difficult
to grasp
the meaning
of a life
lived upon theโ€ฆ

I would be honored if you would go here and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!

Photo by Dylan Sauerwein on Unsplash

#poetry, #contemplation, #introspection, #life, #love, #meaning, #nature, #ocean, #poems, #presence

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 7, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , , Poems,   

from my heart, through my fingers

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

you come to me
in dreams,
as I wrangle
with my feelings,
and the rocks in my heart,
pull at me one by oneโ€ฆ

tales lived,
woven with liquid
dreams, as we continue
to share
ourselves
and seal the seams

with

a love
so rare,
itโ€™s hard
to explain
the affair

yet,

Iโ€™m beckoned
again, and again,
to write
what comes up

feeling

like
the mysteries
are ready to jump

straight

from
my heart,
through
my fingers, and
onto
the page
youโ€™re already readingโ€ฆ

#poetry, #contemplation, #dreams, #emotions, #heart, #introspection, #life, #love, #mystery, #poems, #shared

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 10, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Poems   

all the love that’s been given

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

beauty
abounds,
here,
there, and,
everywhere
we look, when
our eyes
finally
come into view

and,
notice

the
vastness
before us,
letting go
of the minds
preoccupation,
and
ability to
contemplate
all things, old

and, new
alike

itโ€™s
as common
as the
treasure trove,
buried behind
the alcove

of our
heartโ€™s desire

as
they meet
again,
and again,
in a myriad
of contemplation,
and,
we grin

in
anticipation
of the game
to begin

and, at
last,

when
unearthed,
the gifts keep
giving,
while we sit
in the presence
of all the love
thatโ€™s been given

#poetry, #appreciation, #beauty, #contemplation, #desire, #gifts, #grateful, #heart, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 3:00 pm on August 8, 2021
Tags: , act, , , , , , , openheartshavehealed, , pause, , Poems, , , ,   

A Bloggerโ€™s Diary 8/8/21: On the Week, Writing and Reflecting, Portland, and Living Life as it Comes

The Week

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

This past week has been full of more change, as the delta variant continues to spread in the State, new cases are being reported regularly, and those vaccinated and unvaccinated are becoming infected. Scary, yet the current reality.

What does this mean for the teamโ€™s fall term in-person classes? I have no idea. We have a plan, and will execute on this plan, as possible, and if not? We will pivot, as weโ€™ve done so many times in the past 16 months. Like we all have.

Alright, though a precarious time here locally, and across the globe, it does remind me of a reflection of mine from last week. Taking life as it comes, which Iโ€™ll write more about in a moment.

First, letโ€™s take a look at some writing reflections from this past week.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by Pepe Reyes on Unsplash

This week, the poem The Brilliance of Life, was published in MasticadoresUSA; thank you again, Gabriela and team. A true honor.

I also found out this week that MasticadoresIndia will launch September 1, and will be edited by Terveen Gill. I am super excited for MasticadoresIndia, and for Terveen. Amazing.

Alright, poem reflections, here we go.

The poem, The Brilliance of Life, like many of the poems that come forth today, was a reflection and reminiscence on working through layers and layers of trauma; and just as importantly, the newness, or brilliance, that life takes on as these layers are uncovered, and removed.

Though the process of removing these layers is difficult, thereโ€™s always a knowing that Iโ€™m (we are) never alone. We are all connected through our shared humanity, and the love and affinity we share for each other and our home, this beautiful planet.ย 

The poem, open hearts have healed, speaks to the truth just elaborated on; when we work through our grief, sadness, insert any other emotions here, our heart does break; and sometimes, it breaks again and again, yet there is always a healing and wholeness on the other side. It is so clear to me today, yet, as you all know, was not clear to me for a very long time.

Inside of the concept of brokenness, healing and wholeness are already there. Quite simple, yet profound as we experience this reality.

Portland

Music Millennium, Portland, Oregon

Last weekend, I took a quick trip, two nights, to Portland, for a very simple and pragmatic reason; to shop. Where I live in the Willamette Valley, letโ€™s say, shopping for clothes can be difficult.ย 

The shopping went quite well, and I also got to spend some time with Justin. We went to a lovely vegan breakfast place, called Nectar Cafe. Was delicious.

We also visited a super cool record store, Music Millennium. Awesomeness. The store is huge, and, I think, is the second largest in Portland. There are 5 different rooms, and an upstairs. I found three records, one of which is by John Coltrane. Soul stirringly beautiful.

Living Life as it Comes

Photo by Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash

As I mentioned earlier, the past couple of weeks, Iโ€™ve been reflecting on how life shows up; and how inside the experience of life showing up, we have, as leaders, as human beings on this planet, the opportunity to respond to a situation, or react.

Sometimes reaction is needed and necessary; yet, often, we can pause, breathe into life as it shows up, whatever the situation might be, reflect, and then respond.ย 

Creating a pause like this in our lives holds enormous power and potential. When we can be with life as it shows up, and hold the knowing that we can pause, breathe, reflect, and then respond; we create more possibility for ourselves and everyone around us.

As life continues to show up for you, and me, today, tomorrow, this week, this month, over the course of the next couple of months, remember, life just shows up; it just is, and we can create the space to pause, breathe, reflect, and then respond.

It is quite beautiful and inspirational, just like each of you.

Have a splendid week, everyone.

#poetry, #act, #blogger, #blogging, #breathe, #diary, #life, #masticadoresusa, #openheartshavehealed, #oregon, #pause, #poem, #poems, #portland, #reflect, #reflecting, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 8, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Poems, , safegaurd, ,   

let our love be displayed

Image credit; Shane Rounceย @ย Unsplash

unseen
are the trees,
that live so long
in-between, the myriad
noise and clatter,
of the unsuspecting dream

rooted
in place,
they wait, silently
drawing strength from
the majesty pouring forth,
from the earthโ€™s very core

touched
by the clay beneath,
they reach for the sky,
and listen for our lullaby

to begin
again

as
we coalesce
beside their very best,
and remind ourselves
they are of nature,
and, our makers very best

for,

it is within
our hearts, that lives
the truest test

of
our resilience
to match
their guidance,
alongside a millennia
of previous trauma

which,

though
continues today,
let us please pray

and, give thanks
on this day,
for the beauty
living inside
the trees dismay,
not often
enough conveyed

yet,
often betrayed,
so, let our love
be displayed

In response to the WDYS #93 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #connection, #earth, #healing, #humanity, #life, #love, #nature, #planet, #poem, #poems, #protection, #safegaurd, #trauma, #trees

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 6, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Poems, ,   

to live a life as full as heeded

Photo by Svyatoslav Romanov on Unsplash

locked inside
a container,
of my own making

I struggle to find
the light,
complete absence
thereof,
sets me off with a fright

struggling
to breath,
wondering
if life
is all that it seems

I get quiet,
quiet enough
to hear
the hammering
of my heart,
against
my painful chest

then,

it picks up
speed,
in relation
to the myriad
thoughts
roiling around my head,

faster
than anything
can be said
to have sped

slowing
them down
not possible,
tools escape me,
trapped,
and isolated,
tears well
in my eyes,
and I even,
at that time,
struggle to cry

they
leak instead,
when fullness
overflows
into stations
of another
portended foundation

and,

years later,
I will reflect on
these times,
after learning
has been delivered,
and understanding
is bourgeoning
within my hearts center

holding
these memories
ever so lightly,
abiding in my center
and knowing,
though painful,
these experiences,
were necessary, and
needed,
to live a life as full
as heeded

#poetry, #center, #emotions, #foundation, #heart, #knowing, #learning, #letting-go, #life, #living, #love, #memories, #poem, #poems, #reminiscence, #understanding

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 4, 2021
Tags: , alight, , , , , , , , , , , Poems, , , ,   

life is already alight

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

feelings
running so deep,
itโ€™s as if the being
calling me forth,

is interested

in fractured ways
of living,
splitting me
in two,
as I continue
to learn more
about the entry
to heavensโ€™ door

located

on this earth,
in this moment

present
to the love within
every being, and
living thing
on this
beautiful planet
pulling me towards
them

with a fervor,
impossible
to ignore

we listen,
hear the heartache,
and,
hold the pieces
of being together
with theirs,
in a dance
of past mistakes,
future worries,
and steps one may take

while
we
call them
present
to the gift
in the stillness
of this
moment

a gift, which

requires quietness,
and listening
with all your might

drawing
upon your intention,
and an inner-knowing
that all of life
is already
alight

#poetry, #alight, #awareness, #contemplation, #heartache, #intention, #introspection, #life, #love, #moments, #peace, #poem, #poems, #presence, #quietness, #realization, #stillness